Langley, BC to host inaugural U23 Pan American Men's Volleyball Cup

OTTAWA (June 12, 2012) – Volleyball Canada announced today that Langley, BC will host the inaugural U23 Pan American Men's Volleyball Cup at the Langley Events Centre from September 25-30.

The U23 Pan American Cup is a new competition created jointly by the Norceca (North America, Central America & Caribbean) and the South American Volleyball Confederations, and will feature the top teams from these zones. The event has been developed to provide an additional competitive opportunity for developing national team players, who may be on the cusp of making their first appearances with their respective countries senior level national teams. Athletes must be born in 1990 or later to be eligible to compete.

As Canada will not have a national team program with athletes in this age category together at this time of year, Volleyball Canada opted to ask a CIS program to host and participate in the event representing Canada, and the two-time defending CIS champions Trinity Western University Spartans were up to the task. Other possible teams they will compete against in the event include Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the USA.

"For our men's national team, this is a very important age group as it will help bridge the current gap between the level at which CIS athletes perform and the one needed to perform internationally," stated the Canadian Men's National Team Head Coach Glenn Hoag. "It complements very well the already existing Junior category (20 and under) and it is important to have the support of CIS institutions in order for us to field a team every year in these events. TrinityWesternUniversity will represent Canada very well at this event as they will feature several athletes from our B and Junior national team programs."

“On behalf of the Township of Langley, we are extremely excited to be hosting yet another major international event at the Langley Events Centre,” Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese commented, “the facility was built to be a hub in our community and the U23 Pan American Men’s Volleyball Cup will be a fantastic showcase for both the facility and our community. We hope the Township’s strong contingent of volleyball participants at both the school and club levels attend and enjoy the weeklong event.”

A confirmation on the participating countries and the schedule will be available in the coming weeks.